Flashpoints

Russian recruits walk to take a train at a railway station in Prudboi, the Volgograd region of Russia, on Sept. 29, 2022.

New Russian campaign tries to entice men to fight in Ukraine

A new campaign is underway this spring across Russia that seeks volunteers to replenish its troops for the war in Ukraine.

4 days ago

Putin taking Belarus as ‘nuclear hostage,’ Ukraine official says

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans to station tactical nuclear weapons in neighboring Belarus.

4 days ago

Sun Weidong, center, China's Vice Foreign Minister, delivers his opening statement during the Philippines-China Foreign Ministry consultation meeting at a hotel in Manila on Thursday March 23, 2023.

Chinese diplomats oppose US military presence in Philippines

In February, the Philippines said it would allow rotating batches of American forces to indefinitely station in four more Philippine military camps.

A look at the uranium-based ammo the UK will send to Ukraine

Such rounds were developed by the U.S. during the Cold War to destroy Soviet tanks, including the same T-72 tanks that Ukraine now faces.

7 days ago

A Patriot missile mobile launcher is displayed outside the Fort Sill Army Post near Lawton, Okla., on Tuesday, March 21, 2023.

Ukrainian soldiers near finish of Patriot missile training in Oklahoma

Soldiers from Ukraine have been training on the weapon system at Fort Sill since January and will soon deploy to Ukraine with a Patriot missile battery.

9 days ago

Ukrainian forces running out of shells, equipment in fight for Bakhmut

To keep holding Bakhmut, Ukrainian troops need to be resupplied, fast.

11 days ago

In this photo provided by South Korea Defense Ministry, U.S. Air Force B-1B bombers, center, fly in formation with South Korea's Air Force F-35A fighter jets and U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jets, bottom left, over the South Korea Peninsula during a joint air drill in South Korea, Sunday, March 19, 2023.

North Korea launches missile into sea amid US-South Korea drills

The launch was North Korea’s third round of weapons tests since the U.S. and South Korean militaries began joint military drills last week.

11 days ago

US releases video of Russian jet dumping fuel on its drone

The 42-second video shows a Russian Su-27 approaching the back of the MQ-9 drone and beginning to release fuel as it passes, the Pentagon said.

2 weeks ago

A TV screen shows a file image of North Korea's missile launch during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, March 16, 2023.

North Korea launches ICBM before South Korea-Japan summit

Thursday's launch was North Korea’s first intercontinental ballistic missile test in a month and third weapons test this week.

2 weeks ago

A TV screen shows an image of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, on March 13, 2023.

North Korea launches 2 ballistic missiles toward sea

The launch came a day after the U.S. and South Korean militaries began their largest joint field exercises in years on Monday.

2 weeks ago

China’s neighbors seek expanded partnerships with US to deter, defend

The Pentagon’s efforts to improve U.S. force posture in the Pacific have yielded a flurry of major agreements, with allies motivated by China's behavior.

3 weeks ago

This photo provided by the North Korean government shows what it says is an artillery drill at an undisclosed location in North Korea, Thursday, March 9, 2023.

North Korean leader supervises troops simulating attack on South

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has supervised a live-fire artillery drill simulating an attack on a South Korean airfield.

3 weeks ago

A TV screen shows a news program reporting with footage of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang, at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, on Dec. 27, 2022.

North Korea fires ballistic missile toward sea, Seoul says

The launch came as the United States and South Korea prepare to hold their biggest combined military training exercises in years next week.

3 weeks ago

This photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard shows a green military-grade laser light from a Chinese coast guard ship in the disputed South China Sea on Feb. 6, 2023.

Philippines launches strategy of publicizing Chinese actions

A Philippine official says the country's coast guard has launched a strategy of publicizing aggressive actions by China in the disputed South China Sea.

3 weeks ago

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang arrives for a press conference held on the sidelines of the annual meeting of China's National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, Tuesday, March 7, 2023.

Chinese minister warns of conflict unless US changes course

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang warned Tuesday that Beijing and Washington are headed for “conflict and confrontation.”

3 weeks ago

Which fighter jet is best for Ukraine as it fights off Russia?

Ukraine and its supporters say Western fighter jets are necessary to tip the balance in Ukraine’s favor, while allowing for close air support.

3 weeks ago

China sends 25 planes, 3 ships toward Taiwan

Taiwan's Defense Ministry said 19 planes crossed into Taiwan's air defense identification zone.

4 weeks ago

A P-8A Poseidon flies by the aircraft carrier Nimitz in the Philippine Sea, Feb. 24, 2023.

China protests US Navy surveillance plane’s Taiwan Strait flight

The U.S. 7th Fleet said a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon transited the Taiwan Strait in international airspace on Monday.

4 weeks ago

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, near the Kremlin Wall during the national celebrations of the "Defender of the Fatherland Day" in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023.

Russia cannot ignore NATO nuclear capability, Putin says

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s remarks seek to justify Russia’s recent suspension of its participation in the New START treaty.

5 weeks ago

Tears, defiance and new tanks in Ukraine for war anniversary

China on Friday called for a ceasefire, an idea Ukraine has previously rejected for fear that a pause would allow Russia to regroup militarily.

5 weeks ago

Flashpoints

The latest news from Air Force Times about global conflict, terrorism and U.S. military affairs

A new campaign is underway this spring across Russia that seeks volunteers to replenish its troops for the war in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans to station tactical nuclear weapons in neighboring Belarus.

In February, the Philippines said it would allow rotating batches of American forces to indefinitely station in four more Philippine military camps.

Such rounds were developed by the U.S. during the Cold War to destroy Soviet tanks, including the same T-72 tanks that Ukraine now faces.

Soldiers from Ukraine have been training on the weapon system at Fort Sill since January and will soon deploy to Ukraine with a Patriot missile battery.

To keep holding Bakhmut, Ukrainian troops need to be resupplied, fast.

The launch was North Korea’s third round of weapons tests since the U.S. and South Korean militaries began joint military drills last week.

The 42-second video shows a Russian Su-27 approaching the back of the MQ-9 drone and beginning to release fuel as it passes, the Pentagon said.

Thursday's launch was North Korea’s first intercontinental ballistic missile test in a month and third weapons test this week.

The launch came a day after the U.S. and South Korean militaries began their largest joint field exercises in years on Monday.

The Pentagon’s efforts to improve U.S. force posture in the Pacific have yielded a flurry of major agreements, with allies motivated by China's behavior.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has supervised a live-fire artillery drill simulating an attack on a South Korean airfield.

The launch came as the United States and South Korea prepare to hold their biggest combined military training exercises in years next week.

A Philippine official says the country's coast guard has launched a strategy of publicizing aggressive actions by China in the disputed South China Sea.

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang warned Tuesday that Beijing and Washington are headed for “conflict and confrontation.”

Ukraine and its supporters say Western fighter jets are necessary to tip the balance in Ukraine’s favor, while allowing for close air support.

Taiwan's Defense Ministry said 19 planes crossed into Taiwan's air defense identification zone.

The U.S. 7th Fleet said a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon transited the Taiwan Strait in international airspace on Monday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s remarks seek to justify Russia’s recent suspension of its participation in the New START treaty.

China on Friday called for a ceasefire, an idea Ukraine has previously rejected for fear that a pause would allow Russia to regroup militarily.